Dog sledding is at the top of many people’s bucket lists. From the wind rushing over your goggles, the dogs stampeding and stomping in unison going forward, and the sheer amount of landscapes you’re bound to see, everyone should do it at least once in their life.
However, there are a few tips and tricks you should know before you go about dog sledding through the snow-covered landscapes of Norway and Sweden.
So, if you’re keen on planning your next (or first) dog sledding run through Scandinavia, heed these tips and trick before shouting “mush!”.
Plan Ahead
This is not something you should do on a whim. In fact, most dog sledding tours or “mushers” won't accept reservations that aren’t at least set in stone two (or more) weeks prior. Aside from getting in contact with the appropriate party, you’ll want to plan transportation, as well.
Most of these dog sledding tours will have specific shuttle pickups, but renting a car might be a better option if you’re unsure what your schedule might look like that day.
It’ll Get Windy, so Bundle Up
Fun fact: Dog sleds can travel upwards of 20mph.
And while that not may seem fast when compared to traveling via a car, that’s still quicker than most of us can run. Why is this important to understand? Well, this means that you’ll be feeling quite a windchill while mushing.
In fact, this steady pace can make the temperatures around you feel even more freezing, in some cases up to fifteen degrees colder. If you’re mushing against a headwind, that delta can be even wider. Suffice to say that you’ll want to bundle up; opt to wear an insulted undershirt and a pair of leggings, a dense sweater, finally wearing a good windbreaker over everything.
Also, don’t forget to wear windproof sunglasses! Now’s not the time to be supporting your favorite aviators, but, instead, try to get your hands on ski goggles. This will protect your eyes not only from the glaring sun, but also the area’s around your eyes from “wind-burn.”
Keep the Tour to About Two Hours
While you might think you’d want to mush for hours on end. But trust us when we say you won't, once you're out on the ice and snow for a good while.
Especially if you’re traveling with young ones, try to cap-off your tour after mushing for two or so hours. May first-time dog sledders say this is the “sweet spot,” letting you get the most out of the experience, while not overstretching the adventure. (This, and sled dogs are usually encouraged to rest for a while after 90 minutes or so of medium-to-hard sledding.)
Also, the longer you’re out riding, the greater chance you have of becoming cold, possibly ruining an otherwise pleasant trip. That, and odds are you won’t be able to hold your bladder for more than two hours.
Pack Light
Because of how the weight of the sled affects the pack’s ability to perform, try to pack light and leave extraneous stuff back at the lodge.
Sled dogs are one of the smallest types of husky breeds, tipping the scales at rarely more than 45lbs. And while they’re still incredibly strong for their weight, it can take up to ten of them to comfortably push a 150lb or so person through any given winter wonderland.
Every pound counts, and you’ll see how it directly affects the performance of the dogs. Leave the shoulder camera and duffel bag at home; embrace your smartphone’s camera technology, and think about packing a fanny pack with essentials, instead.
Go During the Season
In some parts of Norway and Sweden, it’s possible to dog sled, year-round. But going during the season will afford you the best experience, while also making it easy to find still-running dog sledding tours.
In the far northern stretches of those two countries, the season for dog sledding goes from mid-November to around late April, sometimes lingering into early May. However, in Svalbard, tours don’t even begin running till around April tours do not begin until April.
So when can you mush? Pretty much whenever you want to, really. However, opt to go during the season, if you can.
In Summary: Prepare, Dress Appropriately, and Try to Go During the Season
As you can see by now, quite a bit goes into a successful dog sledding trip. However, if you stick to these three pieces of advice—”prepare, dress appropriately, and try to go during the season”—you’ll be rewarded with a, truly, unforgettable experience.
Now all that’s left is for you to practice your sledding commands.
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